I’m looking for some suggestions for an average set of chisels. I’m not much of a hand tool guy but I don’t want to buy junk that won’t stay sharp and I also don’t need the best of the best. I’ve got some mortise and tenon work that I won’t (edit: want to) do this winter and I need a set of chisels.

Here’s a second vote for Marples. It’s a good intermediate set. I would for sure stay away from the Buck Brothers or other lower priced sets you’d find at the big box stores – they are junk and take way to much time to tune up to usable status.

Well I bought a set of Stanley chisels from Lowes, put a killer edge on them with my Worksharp 3000 and use them everyday. Have not had any problem with them not keeping an edge. I guess it depends on how you use them. Sorry Betsy.

I will second skywalker’s recommendation of the Narex chisels. I have a set that has worked well for me as a general use chisel. Also, I was in Woodcraft recently and their Woodriver brand has come out with a set of chisels for a really good price. pkennedy

The Two Cherrys have been outstanding chisels, sharp as razors and I expect them to last a lifetime. They are indeed a pleasure to work with. I have others but these have been so much better. I am glad I bit the bullet and got the better set, there is a difference.

I can’y say enough about the narax chisels. This is the first quality set of QUALITY chisels and they are really super. I use the scary sharp system (sand paper) and have no problem. Fine Woodworking made no mistake when they named these as the best value in western style chisels. They have also some mortise chisels, also at very reasonable price. I bought the 4 chisel set and added the other two in the 6 chisel which is cheaper because it doesn’t include the wooden case. I’m not certain that the 2 addition chisels are really worth having. These are European made not Chinese, which the Marples now are. I would suggest a 4 set and then decide on what additional sizes your interested in.

I also vote for the Narex. I bought a set from Highland and am very happy with them. They take a little bit of tuning when you first get them to flatten the back and get them sharp. But once you’ve done that; they do a great job.

I’ve also had really good results with my Narex chisels from Highland. Good quality and not very expensive either.Here’s the article summary (and full article, subscription required) from FWW that skywalker referred to earlier.

I would second the Irwin/Marples. I have the 1/4 – 1” set and bought a couple extras singly on sales from Rockler. I saw this link on another site: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=3&p=63260&cat=1,44047&ap=1not a horrible price but only a few of them in larger sizes. If being used for cleaning up mortises I have had great luck with them and haven’t needed to resharpen after plenty of use. As for using to actually chop mortises I would be weary but I am a dedicated mortiser kind of guy :)

Food for thought: I’m in the boat of deciding on a new set of chisels myself. I had a set of Sorbys recommended to me, and was deciding between that and the Pfeil Swiss-Made ones (I was going to piece the set together one or a few at a time.) However, when I went to Woodcraft to compare the two, I thought the odd-shaped handle of the Sorbys would get on my nerves, and for some indescribable reason they didn’t feel comfortable. I was indifferent on the Pfeils. However, I saw a set of 8 from Woodriver for around $80 that I thought were much nicer, more comfortable to handle, and at a fifth of the price. It might be worthwhile to go to a Rockler or Woodcraft and get a feel for what you might like.